The coronavirus pandemic directly impacted Isle of Man Basketball Association’s league season again

last week.

The current uncertainty led to the postponement of Thursday’s games and reduced the week’s schedule from eight games down to only three, all on the first ’Super Sunday’ of the year.

The association continues to be committed to the health and wellbeing of players, officials and spectators, and wants to wish a speedy recovery to all those impacted by this latest outbreak.

The highlight of Sunday’s matches was a nail-biter between Forget Me Not Jets and Turkeys who last faced each other in the 2019-20 season final.

Turkeys were quick off the mark, Chris Wolfendale letting the three-pointers fly with a trio of swishes that saw the league leaders swoop into the lead. Michael Baker kept Jets from trailing too far behind with some solid inside work, while a late spurt from Wayne Mears narrowed the gap further, the score lying 21-17 to Turkeys at the end of the first quarter.

Jets found their form in the second quarter, the quick pace and solid shooting from Mears and Tom Dalton-Brown allowing them to catch up and then build a five-point lead.

Turkeys struggled against the onslaught initially but settled as the quarter progressed, creating opportunities for outside shots that Wolfendale and Krum Gogov capitalised on. As half-time arrived, Jets held onto the narrowest of leads 36-37.

With such a delicately-balanced game, both teams had everything to play for and it showed in a tough third quarter. Jake Glover was quick on the break to extend the lead for Jets but a reply from Gogov and Allan Walkingshaw pushed Turkeys ahead.

Tough defence kept the scoring relatively low, the teams trading the lead as the quarter progressed. The teams were tied 44-44 in the dying seconds of the period quarter when a late three-pointer from Dave Boyle managed to push the Turkeys ahead.

The fourth quarter opened with a roar from Jets, Baker hitting the inside while player/coach Paul Kilic swished three-pointers to open up a five-point gap in the opening minutes.

Turkeys moved the ball quickly in reply, looking for openings of a quick drive or mid-range shot while the Jets defence locked down the outside shooters.

It was Wig Bregazzi who found success in pushing to the hoop for Turkeys, picking up fouls from the defenders and allowing him to chip away at Jets’ lead from the free-throw line.

The game remained balanced on a knife edge throughout the final quarter, Wolfendale hitting threes that put Turkeys in the lead then Mears and Dalton-Brown hitting their mark to draw level.

As the game clock ran down to the final 30-seconds, it was a tied score 62-62 with Turkeys on offence. Jets defence kept the pressure up, denying any easy points and keeping the ball away from Wolfendale.

Then in the final seconds of the offence, Walkingshaw fired an outside shot that hit the mark, pushing Turkeys ahead by three points.

The rules of basketball allow a team to take a timeout in the final two minutes and return to the court with the ball advanced towards their opponents’ basket.

With only two seconds left in the game, Jets took the option to set up a side-line play that needed to find an open three-pointer for them to have any chance.

Some quick screens and movement got the ball into the hands of Kilic who managed to release a contested shot from outside the three-point line just as the final buzzer went.

Sadly the fairytale ending was not to be, the shot falling just wide and an exuberant Turkeys winning the hotly-contested match 65-62.

In another tight contest, player of the match was awarded to Paul Kilic of Jets.

l A quirk of scheduling saw Wolves face Celton Douglas for the second time in a little over a week, both teams keen for a more decisive win after the tight match-up on the previous Thursday.

Wolves offered a strong opening, Ben Campbell hitting mid-range and Corey Pinder swishing the outside shot.

Solid defence denied Douglas many opportunities in the first quarter and Wolves extended their lead to nine points going into the half thanks to a suite of threes from Pinder, Michael Pardoe and Ross Wilson.

The second half was a different affair as a quicker pace combined with some unforced errors from Wolves allowed Douglas to build momentum, RB Gomez and Luke Geneza hitting mid-range while Amu Hikwa found success on boards and inside play.

Taking the lead at the end of the third quarter, Douglas fought hard in the fourth period to keep ahead while Wolves struggled to find their mark.

When all was said and done, Douglas had avenged their previous loss and took the win 53-46. Player of the match was awarded to Ott Krussell of Douglas.

l The final match of the day was a high-energy affair between PwC Hoops and Eagles. Quick pace from Jack Coates and solid form from Jake Hicks helped to power Eagles ahead. Hoops found success with solid ball movement, creating opportunities for Lauren Ellison and Daniella Kravela. It was Eagles who took the day though with a 59-46 success at the buzzer and player of the match went to Brayden Roche of Eagles.

l At the time of going to press, basketball is still scheduled to take place this week at the NSC. This Thursday sees the return of the Junior League, with younger players getting back to training and games after an extended Christmas and lockdown break.

All players in school years 7-13 are welcome to attend, with training and games running from 6-8pm.

Action then moves to the Senior League at 8pm where PwC Hoops will face Turkeys and Eagles will try to sink their talons into Wolves.

All games are held in the NSC main hall and are open to spectators with seating available courtside.